Well said, Andy. I totally agree with you about art and its importance. I think I have spent more $ on books than trees because I love looking at and studying them. I love appreciating the artistic expression.

I suspect some of us (including myself) only display bonsai in local shows or to friends because we don't feel our bonsai is that great not because we don't believe it is art. But exhibition at a local show and to friends still spurs me on to higher development and, I hope, gives a little enjoyment to others.

Earl

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Regards,

Matt

I think we should make a distinction between all exhibitions and those which are judged. I’ve never entered a tree in a judged show because I haven’t had any that were good enough to do that, and because I have always been too far away for that to happen. I don’t know, but some in this thread may be assuming that to show means to enter a competition. I don’t really care either way about competition, but I am always looking for an opportunity to show my better trees as a way to promote bonsai and to educate people as to what bonsai is.

Craig Cowing
Zone 5b/6a

OK, I voted earlier but did not have the time to give a write up.
I voted that I show my trees on line only. This is not totally true. But it was the spirit of my feeling. I bring my trees to my club for discussion. I receive advice and suggestions, as I give to others who bring their trees. My trees receive good and bad reviews, I have no problem with the thoughts of others. At this time, (and we all know you can never say what you will think or do down the road,) I will not enter my trees in a show.

I have had the good fortune to be invited to dinner with some well-known Artists. I have brought trees for their advice as well. I tell all this to show that I am not afraid to show my trees, but do not need to. I do get feedback from others, but in a less formal situation.

So, do I show my trees, NO. Will I show my trees in the future, (probably) NO. Will this slow my development as an Artist, I do not think so.

I do not keep my 'Art' private, but like many collectors of the great Masters in the art world, I have my art for show to those I know.

If, someday I have a tree that reaches the point where it can add to the 'Art of Bonsai' I will think of showing it, but till I have such a tree....they're for me!

In my mind, the traditional "Shows" that are put on annually by Bonsai Clubs serve several purposes:
1. offer an oppurtunity for members to display their trees and refine their "display skills"
2. share their trees with the public and members from other clubs and promote an interest in bonsai to potential new members
3. raise funds - although typically shows barely break even after costs
4. this is one I had not considered until recently - offer a "goal" to members to work towards in their tree "development

I voted "only on this forum" - but I have displayed my trees at a Show because my mentor and "sensei" at the time, Sandy Planting, told me that this was "part of bonsai". And she is a very assertive Show Chairman!

In reading this thread and the "serious about bonsai" thread, I am struck by the fact that WHO we show to may be important. Someone made the point that it would be selfish not to share our bonsai with others. I never thought of it that way - I have been thinking only about what I get from the experience. I share my trees on this forum because I want to hear your comments. In the "serious" thread I stated that I thought there were better ways to learn and improve your trees (like attending workshops) than "showing" them as Al had suggested. This was followed by Bonitah's "cookie" thread in which Al offered some very constructive comments that I think many of us learned from - Bonitah "showed". Al "commented" and I "learned" - mea culpa Al!

Andy and Al - you do not see many formal art exhibits that feature work by artists who are "learning". Unless you count the kid's efforts on the fridge! That is because there is a "vetting" process that occurs prior to an artist "showing" their work. Someone needs to decide if their work is good enough to show. There may be some who don't like the art - but typically there is some accepted standard met before art is shown.

I think you need to consider where most of us are in our bonsai knowledge and skill level and consequent comfort level. You may have trees that you are comfortable showing because you have the skills to get your trees to that level of proficiency. Many of us are relatively new to this - I am putting my 5 plus years against Al's 20 (?) and your 10 or 20 plus (?). Also - many of us may not have immersed ourselves to the same extent and therefore have not learned the skills or degree of knowledge that you have.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE DO NOT THINK BONSAI IS ART! It means that we (or our trees?) are not ready yet. Give us time - and keep showing us how!

Truer words were never spoken, man. That's deep. >sniff<

Seriously, though, I think that displaying bonsai is important. What I find unimportant is where they are displayed. If I have guests at my house, and I have displayed a tree nicely in my garden, that's important, and that is a valid display.

Perhaps what this thread is actually about is the question of whether it is important to display bonsai in a context wherein the tree will be judged, whether formally, in the case of a competition, or informally, as the tree is exposed to the opinions of other bonsai people.

My answer to that question? It may be important (the judging thing, that is), but not to me.

Great thread. I too voted in the poll that I only show online, but this is not entirely true. I show trees all the time to people that visit our home. A couple of months ago, two Jehovah's witnesses came by while I was working on a tree. We spent about ten minutes talking about bonsai, not religion, before they went on their way. Also, once a month, I attend an informal gathering of local bonsai enthusiasts to work trees on and critique our work. I find this extremely valuable.

“A couple of months ago, two Jehovah's witnesses came by while I was working on a tree. We spent about ten minutes talking about bonsai, not religion, before they went on their way.”

Nice -- turning of the tables, but I think that you could have kept them listening for another ten minutes.

All joking aside, I don't think it selfish one bit not to share an artform. Sometimes it is nice to keep something personal private. I create art as a graphic designer that is meant for public consumption and is seen by thousands (if not more) of people at stores and in magazines and even on TV commercials. I also create art that is more personal. It may be on canvas, digitally in the form of visual or audio, or the harmonious manipulation between order and chaos in nature (bonsai) that is shared with a select few. I find nothing wrong with this.

With that said, my bonsai are in their very beginnings, and to show them may open me up to critique. That is how we learn though. I use the word WE because WE all benefit (from even the worst looking tree) not only as "artists" learning the craft and the theories of bonsai, but also as teachers that may pass on the tradition of Bonsai to others. I feel that some may deem it neccessary to have a judged competition because it seems that that is a form of validation that makes anything we do in life serious and worthwhile.